Tribune News Service

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday welcomed the conviction of Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, terming it a case of justice finally delivered to the victims of one of the worst instances of communal violence in independent India.

He reiterated his stand that neither the Congress party nor the Gandhi family had any role to play in the rioting and lashed out at the Badals for continuing to drag their names into the case at the behest of their political masters – the BJP, which was clearly shaken by the clear mandate given by the people to Rahul Gandhi’s leadership in the recent Assembly elections in three states.

The High Court judgment against Sajjan had once again proved that the judiciary in India continued to stand tall as a pillar of the nation’s democratic system, the CM said.

He said he had been naming Sajjan Kumar along with a few other former Congress leaders, including Dharam Das Shastri, HKL Bhagat and Arjun Das, for the past 34 years, based on the information he had personally received from victims in refugee camps in Delhi during the riots.

Incidentally, Sajjan Kumar was the only surviving former Congress leaders implicated in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, as the others had since passed away. His had repeatedly cropped up in his interactions with the victims in the refugee camps, said Capt Amarinder.

There was no Congress conspiracy behind the violence and the names of the Gandhis did not come up even once during his visits to the refugee camps, the CM said, adding that it was vested political interests that had been trying to draw the Gandhi family into the controversy and the conspiracy for their personal motivations.

All involved should be brought to justice: Jakhar

Punjab Congress president Sunil Kumar Jakhar said the party’s stand was clear that whoever was involved in the riots should be brought to justice. “Yes, justice has been delayed, but delivered finally. No one is above law. Anyone who is involved in such a heinous crime should be brought to justice,” the Congress MP told reporters outside Parliament. He stated that Congress leader Kamal Nath’s name had never figured among those involved in the riots. Meanwhile, Partap Singh Bajwa, Rajya Sabha MP, said: “I have always advocated a sense of closure for the victims of this tragedy. This verdict is a reminder for the country that those who inflict mindless violence on the weak, destitute and minorities will not be spared by the long arm of justice. However, I urge one and all not to politicise the moment.” TNS

Timely verdict in the 1984 riots cases could have prevented the mass killings in Mumbai (1993), Gujarat (2002), Odisha’s Kandhamal district (2008) and Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar (2013)— Jarnail Singh, Ex-AAP MLA

People had to wait for 34 years to get justice. The Cong tried for a long time to save its leaders involved in the carnage. But we finally hope to give closure to the people by bringing the guilty to book—Vijay Sampla, Union Minister 

Sajjan got political patronage and went on to become an MP. We demand capital punishment for him. Making Kamal Nath CM of Madhya Pradesh shows that the Cong is still patronising those involved in the riots.—Manjeet Singh GK, SAD leader

Justice has been delayed but not denied.—Omar Obdullah, Ex-J&K CM

Srinagar/Jammu, December 6

An Army jawan and a BSF constable were killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir today.

Rifleman Rajesh Kumar from Uttar Pradesh was killed when a volley of bullets was fired towards a forward post in Machil sector of Kupwara, 150 km northwest of Srinagar.

“Pakistan violated the ceasefire in Machil sector at 10.45 am. One soldier got  martyred in the enemy fire,” said Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia. “Indian forces retaliated strongly,” he added.

This is the third ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the past 24 hours in north Kashmir. Earlier today, Pakistan forces violated the ceasefire in Kamalkote area of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, resulting in the suspension of cross-LoC trade via the Kaman bridge.

Yesterday, Indian posts in the same area were targeted in which two soldiers were wounded, he said.

In the Sunderbani sector, a BSF Constable was killed and another injured in heavy fire from across the LoC this evening, officials said. The incident happened at a forward post in Mala area. The sector is manned by BSF’s 126th battalion.

While a bullet hit Constable Prosenjit Biswas in the stomach, Constable Mansa Ram suffered a gunshot wound in the thigh, they said. They were airlifted to Command Hospital at Udhampur, where Biswas succumbed to injuries.

The condition of the other jawan is stable, officials said.

The violations come a fortnight after a Brigade Commander-level flag meeting between the two sides. — TNS

The carrier was built and deployed by the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom in 1959. PTI file

Mumbai, December 3

Only “dignified activities” will be permitted on board the Indian Navy’s decommissioned aircraft carrier INS Viraat, Western Naval Command chief Vice-Admiral Girish Luthra said on Monday.

Since its decommissioning, several states have expressed interest to convert the ship into a tourism hub or a museum.

The carrier, built and deployed by the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom in 1959, served the Indian Navy from 1987 till it was formally decommissioned in March, 2017.

The Centaur-Class aircraft carrier operated for 56 years under British and Indian flags, earning itself a Guinness World Records mention for being the oldest serving warship.

“Proposals have been received from several states, including Maharashtra, to convert INS Viraat into some tourism destination. We will be permitting only dignified activities there,” Vice Admiral Luthra told reporters here.

He also said the proposal from Maharashtra had been forwarded to the Defence Ministry.

The Vice-Admiral said the ship, in its future avatar, could be a public private partnership initiative.

“It is going to be a Public Private Partnership (model) which means the state as well as a private company is going to be involved. Whether it will be a convention centre or a museum or a tourism destination will depend on the PPP,” he said.

About the Maharashtra government’s proposal for INS Viraat, Vice-Admiral Luthra said, “It is being examined actively at the highest level.” On the maintenance cost of the decommissioned aircraft carrier, he said about 225 people have been deployed to take care of the ship, but the Navy did not “do any costing” of it.

INS Viraat was commissioned into the Indian Navy on May 12, 1987, and operated Sea Harrier fighter aircraft, Sea King 42B anti-submarine helicopters, Sea King 42C commando carrier helicopters and Chetaks as its main air elements.

The aircraft carrier is reputed for having been out at sea for over six years, covering the globe 27 times. PTI

Jammu/Anantnag, December 1

Two soldiers were killed and two others were injured in an accidental landmine blast in Pallanwala area of the Akhnoor sector near the Line of Control (LoC).

The injured have been shifted to hospital, where the condition of a soldier is stated to be critical.

While Vivek Gupta, DIG, Jammu, said two soldiers had been killed, the Army is yet to confirm the incident. 

Meanwhile, a civilian was injured on Saturday evening in crossfiring as security forces and militants briefly exchanged gunfire in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.

The injured civilian has been identified as Bashir Ahmad Mir, a resident of Litter village. Sources said militants opened fire at an Army patrol party in Niloora village of the district at 6 pm. “The Army retaliated and in the exchange of fire, a civilian was injured.”  

Police officials, however, said the exchange of fire took place amid a cordon and search operation in the area.

The injured civilian was being treated at the Sub-District Hospital in Bijbehara. — TNS

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 23

Paying tribute to Guru Nanak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the proposed Kartarpur corridor could serve as a bridge for people-to-people contact. Addressing a function at the residence of Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur here, he said the tragic incidents of 1947 should be left behind and a new chapter of ties opened between the two countries.

He did not elaborate, except for pointing out that the Berlin Wall too had been pulled down, reuniting the people of East and West Germany. “This was unthinkable at one point of time,” he observed.

The PM said India believed in “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and bore ill-will towards none. He offered “ardas” and listened to Gurbani during his visit that lasted 30 minutes. He was felicitated with a siropa and a turban by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjit Singh (GK).

The PM attributed the good works by his government to blessing of the Gurus and saints. “The sacrifices of the Gurus have built and protected the country. Their message encapsulate the culture of India: love for everyone and equality of all without discrimination of caste and class,” he noted.

Sukhbir lauded the government for its decision to build and develop the Kartarpur corridor as well as Sultanpur Lodhi. Manjit Singh said Vice-President of India Venkaiah Naidu would lay the foundation stone of the corridor.

Among others present were Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and former PM Manmohan Singh.

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 22

India will build and develop a corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district to the International Border to facilitate Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur on the banks of the Ravi river in Pakistan, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday.

Kartarpur Sahib, located just across the International Border, is the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev and one of the holiest shrines of Sikhs.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

New Delhi will also request Islamabad to recognise the sentiments of the Sikh community and develop a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory as well.

“In a landmark decision, the Cabinet approves building and development of Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to International Border. Kartarpur corridor project with all modern amenities and facilities to be implemented with Central Government funding,” he said in a series of tweets.

The Kartarpur corridor will provide smooth and easy passage to pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib throughout the year. The Pakistan government would be urged to reciprocate and develop a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory, he said.

A high-powered telescope will be installed along the Indo-Pak border for devotees to view Kartarpur Sahib in Punjab.

The issue of Kartarpur Sahib came into focus after Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu visited Pakistan in August to attend the oath-taking ceremony of his cricketer-turned-politician friend Imran Khan as prime minister of that country.

After his return, Sidhu claimed that Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa had told him that Pakistan might open a corridor to Kartarpur Sahib.

The Home Minister said the Union cabinet also decided to develop the historic town of Sultanpur Lodhi as heritage town on smart city principles.

As major attraction for pilgrims and tourists, a heritage complex at Sultanpur Lodhi, ‘Pind Babe Nanak da’ is to be developed to depict times of Guru Nanak. Sultanpur Lodhi railway station will be upgraded and developed.

A centre for inter-faith studies is to be set up at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. Chairs on Guru Nanak Dev will be set up in one university each in the United Kingdom and Canada. International seminar on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak will be organised in New Delhi.

Singh said commemorative coin and postage stamps would be released by the government and religious activities organised throughout the country. Doordarshan will telecast programmes on Guru Nanak and Gurbani.

The Ministry of Railways will run a train passing through holy places associated with Guru Nanak.

The Home Minister said states and union territories are being requested to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in a befitting manner.

The Indian missions overseas will organise special events on the occasion. UNESCO will be be requested to publish Guru Nanak’s writings in world languages. The National Book Trust will publish Gurbani in different Indian languages.

A high-level committee chaired by the Home Minister will regularly review, monitor and oversee the implementation of activities to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. With PTI